Since its commercial introduction in the 1940s, the computer has wrought major changes in business, industry, government, and science, and with the possible exception of television, no other recent invention has so completely altered society as a whole. The student choosing to major in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or Information Systems is entering a dynamic career area filled with challenge and unlimited opportunities for individual growth.

The School of Computer Sciences offers a comprehensive curriculum. All students are expected to complete a core sequence in which they acquire the fundamental skills in computing or information systems and mathematics. Students may select advanced courses from a wide variety of specialized areas within Computer Science, Cyber Security, or Information Systems. Current offerings permit the student to become involved with a broad spectrum of business and scientific applications, software, and database design, or the more theoretical basis of computing. The undergraduate degree programs offer course sequences leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security, and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems.

Honors Curriculum—Academically qualified students in this School are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Departmental Honors, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Departmental Honors includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Departmental and General Honors. For more information about honors curricula see the Centennial Honors College page of the catalog or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/Honors.

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program—Two integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree programs are available for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Master of Science in Computer Science and Master of Business Administration. An integrated degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Please refer to the Graduate Studies catalog for details about the integrated program.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science—Computer Science

The program for the bachelor’s degree shall contain the required departmental core of 21 s.h., a depth component of 12 s.h., UNIX or COBOL, and Departmental Electives chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor.

The School of Computer Sciences offers two emphases of courses designed to meet the career paths of its students; each student will choose an emphasis after consultation with the advisor and with the approval of the School.

The Computer Science major requires a minor from one of the other disciplines on campus. Students may choose any minor or an approved cognate minor.

All students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science must complete I, II, and III.A or III.B below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00, both in Computer Science courses and overall, should be achieved by the junior year. These grade point averages must be maintained for graduation as a Computer Science major.

Bachelor of Science—Cyber Security

The Cyber Security major requires a minor from one of the other disciplines on campus (except those offered by the School of Computer Sciences).

All students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security must complete I, II, III.A or III.B, IV, V, and VI below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

Bachelor of Science—Information Systems

All students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems must complete I, II, III.A or III.B, IV, V, and VI below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

Minors

Minor in Computer Science: 18 s.h.

Traditional

Computer Science Electives: 9 s.h.Note: A total of 6 s.h. must be at the 300 level or above.

Microcomputer Applications

CS 101, (114 or 220 or 488), (301 and 483), or (302 and 315): 12 s.h.

Computer Science Electives: 6 s.h.Note: A total of 6 s.h. must be at the 300 level or above.

Minor in Cyber Security: 18 s.h.

CS 305; CSEC 321: 6 s.h.

Choose one course from each of the following categories:

CS 114 or CS 214: 3 s.h.

CS 395 or 455: 3 s.h.

Choose two courses from the following:CS 306, 320; IS 355; CSEC 322, 375: 6 s.h.Note: Not open to students enrolled in the Cyber Security major, the Cyber Security emphasis within the Computer Science major, or the Cyber Security emphasis within the Information Systems major.

114 Introduction to Computer Science. (3) (General Education/Natural Sciences and Mathematics) Introduction to computer algorithms, problem specification, correctness, computer structure, sets, truth tables, functions, and iteration. Presentation of basic principles of a current programming language. Credit cannot be given for CS 114 after or in the same semester as credit is given for CS 214. Credit cannot be given for CS 114 and CS 211 or CS 212 or CS 201.

225 Programming for Engineering and Science. (3) Fundamental principles, concepts, and methods of computing, with emphasis on applications in the physical sciences and engineering. Basic problem solving and programming techniques; fundamental algorithms and data structures; use of computers in solving engineering and scientific problems. Cannot be used towards a major in Computer Science. Prerequisite: MATH 133.

302 Spreadsheet and Database Applications. (3) Covers both spreadsheet and database applications from a business perspective. Emphasis will be placed on working with formulas, formatting, charting, query construction, form generation, report generation, and the integration of these applications. Cannot be applied towards the Computer Science major. Credit cannot be given for both CS 301 and CS 302. Credit cannot be given for both CS 483 and CS 302. Prerequisite: CS 101 or equivalent.

305 Introduction to Computer Forensics. (3) An introduction to computer forensics. The course will cover a range of computer hardware and forensics software tools on current and past operating systems. Prerequisite: CS 101 or CS 114 or CS 214 or equivalent.

306 Advanced Computer Forensics. (3) Computer forensic software will be used for data acquisition and analysis. Topics include forensic issues common to file systems, evidence collection, and case building tasks regularly used in the analysis of electronic evidence. Prerequisite: CS 305.

315 E-Commerce Technology. (3) Concepts, design, and applications related to electronic commerce. Course is designed for nonmajors, especially those who will manage or operate an E-Commerce system in a business environment. Cannot be applied toward the Computer Science major. Prerequisite: CS 101 or CS 114 or an introductory programming class.

343 Physical Computing. (3) Building interactive physical systems using software and hardware to sense and control the physical world. Topics include software development with sensors, electro-mechanical devices, microcontrollers, and peripheral devices. Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in one of the following: CS 114, 214, 225, 488.

355 Automata and Computability Theory. (3) An introduction to the modern theory of computing: automata theory, formal languages, and effective computability. Topics covered include finite automata and regular languages; pushdown automata and context-free languages; Turing machines and general computability; undecidability and the halting problem. Prerequisites: junior standing and (MATH 255 or MATH 341).

371 (Cross-listed with CSEC 371) UNIX. (3) An introduction to the UNIX environment. Includes shell commands, scripting, regular expressions, SED, process manipulation, forks, threads, process synchronization, introduction to system programming. Not open to students with credit in CSEC 371. Prerequisite: CS 250 or Corequisite: CS 250.

395 (Cross-listed with CSEC 395) Computer Privacy and Security. (3) Methods of protecting data in computer and communications systems from unauthorized disclosure or modification while maintaining availability for authorized users. Modern cryptographic methods: symmetric and public key cryptography, message digests, digital signature, and certificates. Secure protocols: firewalls, VPNs, and IDS. Not open to students with credit in CSEC 395. Prerequisite: CS 214 or consent of School.

415 E-Commerce Systems Development. (3) Tools and technologies related to electronic commerce system development will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on developing the infrastructure and exploring the emerging technical issues in support of E-Commerce. Prerequisite: CS 250.

420 Computer Communication and Networks. (3) Survey of the operational features of telecommunications systems, computer networks, and distributed-processing systems. Considerations for the design of real-time systems. Credit cannot be given for both CS 420 and (CS 484 or IS 324). Cannot be applied toward the Cyber Security major. Prerequisite: CS 351.

425 Server-Side Web Development. (3) Significant development of server-side web applications using server-side architecture and a current scripting language. Prerequisite: CS 351 or (CS 250 and IS 415) or (CS 250 and CSEC 422).

455 Computer System Security. (3) Survey of major areas of computer system security. Emphasis on detection and prevention. Hardware and software discussed. Cannot be applied to the Computer Science major. Prerequisite: CS 101 or CS 114 or equivalent.

460 Artificial Intelligence Methods. (3) An introduction to the main principles and methods of artificial intelligence. Solving problems by searching, knowledge, and reasoning; machine learning; current AI applications. Programming paradigms relevant to AI will be explored. Prerequisite: CS 351.

465 Computer Graphics. (3) Introduction to computer-generation of graphs and pictures, using both character and pixel graphics methods, in two and three dimensions. Animation techniques, CAD methods. Computer lab projects. Prerequisite: CS 351.

483 Microcomputer Systems with Database Applications. (3) Covers command language, programming logic, and applications of database systems for the non-Computer Science major. Cannot be applied to the Computer Science major. Credit cannot be given for both CS 483 and (CS 302 or CS 470 or IS 342). Prerequisite: CS 101 or 114.

484 Network and Data Communications Concepts. (3) Concepts and design of commercial computer and telecommunications networks. Course is designed for nonmajors, especially those who will manage or operate networks in a business environment. Cannot be applied toward the Computer Science major. Credit cannot be given for both CS 484 and (IS 324 or CS 420). Prerequisite: CS 101 or CS 114 or CS 214 or (CS 211 and CS 212).

495 Computer Science Internship. (1–12, repeatable to 12) Credit for work experience in a research, governmental, or business organization. Internship project report required. Only 3 s.h. can be used for the major. Prerequisites: Computer Science major, 15 s.h. of Computer Science courses, and written permission of the School director. Graded S/U only.

497 Senior Honors Project. (3–6, repeatable to 6) This course provides a project option within the departmental Honors Program. Project directed by a faculty member of the School of Computer Sciences. Prerequisite: senior Honors Program participant or consent of School.

499 Independent Study. (1–3, repeatable to 6, 3 per semester) Individual study or research in an area of Computer Science under the supervision of a Computer Science faculty member. Project report required. Prerequisite: approval of School of Computer Sciences.

395 (Cross-listed with CS 395) Computer Privacy and Security. (3) Methods of protecting data in computer and communications systems from unauthorized disclosure or modification while maintaining availability for authorized users. Modern cryptographic methods: symmetric and public key cryptography, message digests, digital signature, and certificates. Secure protocols: firewalls, VPNs, and IDS. Not open to students with credit in CS 395. Prerequisite: CS 214 or consent of School.

422 (Formerly NET 422) Web Technologies. (3) An examination of the Web and its current development technologies. Topics will include HTML, XML, scripting, Web databases, and Web services. Prerequisite: CSEC 321.

495 (Formerly NET 495) Cyber Security Internship. (1–12, repeatable to 12) Work experience in a research, government, or business organization. Internship project report required. Only 3 s.h. can be used for the major. Prerequisites: Cyber Security major, 15 s.h. of Cyber Security courses, and written permission of School director. Graded S/U only.

497 (Formerly NET 497) Senior Honors Project. (3–6, repeatable to 6) Provides a project option within the Cyber Security Honors program. Project directed by a faculty member in the School of Computer Sciences. Prerequisite: Senior CSEC Honors Program participant or consent of the School of Computer Sciences.

499 (Formerly NET 499) Independent Study. (1–3, repeatable to 6, 3 per semester) Individual study or research in the area of Cyber Security under the supervision of a School faculty member. Project report required. Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of the School.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS)

324 Enterprise Network and Data Communication Concepts. (3) This course provides an introduction to data communication networks. The course will focus on the services, capabilities, and limitations of communication networks in a business organizational context. Credit cannot be given for both IS 324 and (CS 484 or CS 420). Prerequisite: CS 101 or CS 114 or CS 214 or (CS 211 and CS 212).

325 Global Social Networks. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) (Global Issues) This course on global social networks, including virtual communities, places emphasis on fundamental information technology, facilitation methods, and practical operations of virtual communities and social networks in a global and cross-cultural environment. Prerequisites: at least one course in each of Category III and Category IV of the General Education Curriculum.

340 Introduction to Information Systems. (3) Develop a thorough understanding of what information systems are, their technical foundations, where they are used in organizations, and how they are developed.

341 Business Systems Analysis. (3) Develop an understanding of concepts and techniques of business information systems analysis. Emphasis upon system development life cycle. Prerequisites: CS 214 and IS 340.

342 Enterprise Database Management. (3) A study of the theory and application of database management systems including their design, development, and management. Credit cannot be given for both IS 342 and (CS 483 or CS 470). Prerequisites: IS 341.

344 Telecommunications Planning Management. (3) An introduction to business management tools and techniques necessary to plan and manage a company’s telecommunications and network functions. Topics include telecommunications management and network administration basics; telecommunications planning and project management; and operations and acquisition management. Prerequisites: CS 214 or permission of School director.

345 Foundations of Information Technology Service Management. (3) This course introduces concepts, models, and tools necessary to provide information technology services to users. Topics include frameworks of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Credit cannot be given for both IS 345 and IS 344. Prerequisites: CS 214.

355 Information Assurance. (3) This course examines implications and challenges of operational security in global IT organizations, and reviews legal, social, and ethical issues related to security management. Topics include IT security policy development, risk management, threat assessment, and business continuity planning. Prerequisites: (CS 114 or CS 214) and (CS 420 or CS 484 or CSEC 321 or IS 324), or consent of director.

405 Business Intelligence and Decision Support Systems. (3) This course focuses on the features, uses, and design strategies for IT-enabled managerial decision support. Data-oriented techniques for business intelligence and corporate decision making are emphasized. Prerequisites: IS 340 and (DS 303 or STAT 276), or permission of School director.

410 Enterprise Architecture. (3) This course explores the design, selection, implementation, and management of enterprise IT solutions. The focus is on IT applications and infrastructure and their fit within business organizations. Prerequisites: IS 342 or permission of School director.

415 Web IT Systems Development and Management. (3) This course will cover tools and technologies related to Web IT Systems development and management. Emphasis will be placed on developing the infrastructure and exploring the emerging technical and managerial issues in support of Web IT Systems. Prerequisites: CS 214.

460 Independent Study in Information Systems. (1–3, repeatable to 3) Independent study with written report on a problem mutually selected by student and instructor. For Information Systems majors only. Prerequisites: IS 341 and senior standing, with written permission of School director.

462 IS Project Management and Development. (3) Study of the issues and challenges in managing information systems’ development projects. Students will also identify, develop, and implement a solution to an information systems’ problem. Prerequisite: IS 342.

466 Topics in Healthcare Informatics. (3, repeatable to 6 for different titles) Topics include the study of healthcare information systems and their use in healthcare and clinical practice as well as in healthcare research and education. Prerequisite: IS 342.

467 Topics in Enterprise Systems. (3) This course is designed to provide an understanding of the theoretic and practical issues related to the application of Enterprise Systems within organizations with a focus in the integration of information and organizational forms and processes across functional areas using unified systems. Prerequisite: IS 341 or permission of School director.

470 Internship in Information Systems. (3–12, repeatable to 12) Work experience, on- or off- campus, in an organization involving computerized information systems. Intern will be supervised by a faculty coordinator and an executive in the business firm. Reports of work experience are submitted to the coordinator periodically. Final report required. Only 3 s.h. can be used for the major. Prerequisites: Information Systems major; IS 341, 342; junior or senior standing; and written permission of School director. Graded S/U only.

497 Senior Honors Project. (3–6, repeatable to 6) Provides a project option within the Information Systems Honors program. Project directed by a faculty member in the School of Computer Sciences. Prerequisite: Senior IS Honors Program participant or consent of the School of Computer Sciences.